The Hebrew verb הָרַג (root: ה־ר־ג) means “to kill,” “to slay,” or “to put to death.” It is one of the primary verbs for taking life in the Hebrew Bible and appears in narratives, laws, prophecy, and poetry. It can refer to killing in battle, murder, divine judgment, or judicial execution.
This verb appears mainly in the Qal stem for simple action (kill), and sometimes in Niphal (passive — to be killed) or Pual (intensive passive).
Qal Binyan Conjugation of הָרַג (“to kill, slay”)
Past (Perfect) Tense
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| 1st person singular | הָרַגְתִּי |
| 2nd person masculine singular | הָרַגְתָּ |
| 2nd person feminine singular | הָרַגְתְּ |
| 3rd person masculine singular | הָרַג |
| 3rd person feminine singular | הָרְגָה |
| 1st person plural | הָרַגְנוּ |
| 2nd person masculine plural | הֲרַגְתֶּם |
| 2nd person feminine plural | הֲרַגְתֶּן |
| 3rd person plural | הָרְגוּ |
Present (Participle) Tense
| Gender/Number | Form |
|---|---|
| Masculine singular | הוֹרֵג |
| Feminine singular | הוֹרֶגֶת |
| Masculine plural | הוֹרְגִים |
| Feminine plural | הוֹרְגוֹת |
Future (Imperfect) Tense
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| 1st person singular | אֶהֱרֹג |
| 2nd person masculine singular | תַּהֲרֹג |
| 2nd person feminine singular | תַּהֲרְגִי |
| 3rd person masculine singular | יֶהֱרֹג |
| 3rd person feminine singular | תַּהֲרֹג |
| 1st person plural | נֶהֱרֹג |
| 2nd person masculine plural | תַּהֲרְגוּ |
| 2nd person feminine plural | תַּהֲרֹגְנָה |
| 3rd person plural | יֶהֱרְגוּ |
Imperative Mood
| Person | Form |
|---|---|
| 2nd person masculine singular | הֲרֹג |
| 2nd person feminine singular | הַרְגִי |
| 2nd person masculine plural | הַרְגוּ |
| 2nd person feminine plural | הֲרֹגְנָה |
Usage in Scripture
- Exodus 2:12 – וַיַּךְ אֶת־הַמִּצְרִי וַיִּטְמְנֵהוּ בַּחוֹל
“He struck down the Egyptian…” — Moshe kills the Egyptian; verb used: הָרַג. - Genesis 4:8 – וַיָּקָם קַיִן אֶל־הֶבֶל אָחִיו וַיַּהַרְגֵהוּ
“And Qayin rose up against Hevel his brother and killed him.” - 1 Samuel 17:51 – וַיָּמָת וַיַּהַרְגֵהוּ דָוִד בַּחֶרֶב
“And Dawid killed him with the sword.” — slaying Golyat.
Summary
The verb הָרַג is the most direct biblical term for “killing.” It covers everything from battlefield execution to personal violence to judicial slaying. As a core verb in biblical narrative and law, it appears in stories of judgment, warfare, and moral failure. In Modern Hebrew, it retains its meaning with clear emotional and legal implications.
